The CharestCorp Blog

By Alisa Manjarrez, Certified Church Consultant

I have a secret for you.

Sometimes, we tell our clients NOT to build…

That’s right.

Sometimes, we tell our clients to WAIT, or even, STOP.

Did you know that if you are meeting in a school, you’re probably not going to need your own facility for about 7 years? Not to say that it can’t get very tiring!

There have even been times when a church is looking for property, and we say DON’T.

The fact of the matter is that once we take a good hard look at your ministry needs, do some site analysis and assess your existing building space, we often find out that you don’t need new land or that new educational facility you’ve been wanting. There’s simply a little shifting of space that can be done to accommodate your needs and still make room for growth.

Findings like these can save you time and money. Church Solutions just posted an article interviewing one our fellow NACDB members, highlighting 3 ways a church can accomplish what it needs to do without building a building.

But shh…

Don’t tell other architects or builders that we’re not just about the building. Being about the ministry, serving God’s people is OUR secret. It’s actually why we do what we do! And love it.

The number one question I am getting from Pastors and board members is how to address the drop of tithes and offerings and the inability to keep staff members at full salary. Church leaders are afraid that reducing staff may lead to neglected and unhappy congregants.

The answer in its simplest form is to decrease staff and increase the volunteer base. Churches who have successfully followed this advice have worked to create a strong service oriented environment for all church members. They have also rejected or redefined the “Professional Ministry” concept that many churches have embraced.

It takes time to inspire volunteers and it starts with staff agreeing to release others into their ministry areas without the protectionism reaction that usually follows such ideas. In addition when staff leaves they can be replaced with stipened (Non-benefit) part time positions which save the church thousands of dollars a year.

In the end, volunteers serve not because its a job but because their heart demands it. This leads to them bringing more friends and family to the church because they have a vested interest in the success of “their” church. What a great way to build the church, control the budget and reduce the workload on the existing staff. Remember that the great commission applies to every believer and the benefits are eternal!

Rene M. Charest

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Marcus Buckingham, best-selling author and leader in Strengths-based theory, speak on discovering your personal strengths and using them for higher satisfaction and performance in life.

Buckingham says, “You grow most in your areas of greatest strengths.” So I started to think about some of the churches we are working with and their existing facilities. What are their greatest facility strengths? How can they improve on them? Make them even better?

For example, if you think about the best room, or your favorite space on your church campus, you’re either going to think of it in terms of aesthetics (”we have the coolest youth room”) or function (”we do the most real ministry in our fireside room”). Since our company goal is to provide value to your ministry, we’re going to look at both concepts.

Pull out a campus map, or even an old site plan (if you know where it is), and look at your entire site. Say you know that you have an amazing greeters team and a large area for fellowship before and after service. Perhaps you even have a few coffee kiosks that people swarm every Sunday, staying there for hours talking. What can you do to make your amazing greeters even more incredible? Have you thought about completely transforming the cofee area of your lobby into a Third Place?

Now, if you have mediocre greeters and a lone coffee table with tall stacks of Styrofoam cups that never need replenishing, these areas are NOT your strengths. In your case, a third place may be a disaster project.

But it’s okay! The point is to FOCUS ON WHAT YOU’RE ALREADY DOING WELL and what your congregation and leaders LIKE DOING. Give it a try, and leave me a comment to let me know what happens!

(p.s. If you haven’t picked up a copy of Now, Discover Your Strengths, it’s a must-read!)

It is said that imitation is the highest form of flattery. But sometimes they are just making fun of you. I saw this little video on youtube and thought it would be a humerous but poignant clip that makes us think about how we do church in America. Click on the link below to watch the video.

Starbucks marketing like church

I wonder how we will look at our church experience this weekend after watching this video?

I have always taught my kids that most people walk through life with fear as the primary influencer of all their actions. It is those few who are able to embrace faith that are able to make a significant difference by standing their ground and continuing in their lifes mission in the face of uncertainty.

If a church has a specific facility need and they are confident it is God’s plan and vision for them to meet that need now, then no economic condition should prevail over obeying God’s vision for thier church and providing the needed space.

However, there are also some great practical reasons why moving forward right now is a great idea.

First, Labor and Material prices are flat and declining.

Second, Interest rates are dropping.

Third, There is no labor shortage and service is generally much better.

Fourth, It brings excitement to the church family that your ministry is still alive and well.

Fifth, it shows the community that the God you serve is greater than any economic crisis.

Sixth, It shows leadership and confidence and allows God to do what God does best, provide abundantly and miraculously so that HE gets all the glory.